P38 - War Issue with a great history
I have just got this, a war issue P38. For once I got the story from the owner before it became an unknown estate item, and what a great story.
In good condition, barrel pitted though, but original, no refurb. Mauser manufacture, 1944, with Waffen stamped holster cannot see number though.
Walter P38
(from Joe (name changed))
Flight Officer Joe was based in Zweibrucken with the Canadian Air Force in the 427 F Squadron, Germany under the NATO flag during 1952 to 1954, flying Sabre’s for the RCAF. At this time it was not policy for Canadian Airmen to be issued a side arm to carry while flying on missions in the aircraft, but as the missions flown at that time were over hostile territory the RCAF agreed that Canadian airmen could carry side arms but they would have to acquire their own to take on board if they wished. Joe and some others from the force made contact with a German was who was the officers mess manager, asking how they could get a sidearm. The German contact took Joe to France to meet a French Sergeant who had been tasked with battle field clean up during the Second World War. This French sergeant took Joe down to his basement where he had stored a lot of battlefield recovery items. Here in the basement were boxes of arms, such as 82mm mortars, M1 carbines, boxes of handguns, P38’s, Lugers and many other armourments. Joe was shown a box of P38’s as he had requested a P38 as his preference, and was told to pick one. Joe chose one, it still had a loaded magazine with it, and then the Frenchman took him to a side door of the house with a large tree just outside. The yard was an open area with people including children around, but the Frenchman insisted that Joe test the pistol by shooting it into the large tree, this he did and the firearm worked well. Joe purchased the P38 for $15.00 and then carried this as his sidearm while on duty with NATO.
At the end of 1954 Joes’ time in Germany came to an end and he was transferred back to Canada, returning via Montreal, Quebec. At the Customs he declared that he was importing a pistol. The Quebec customs officers would not allow the pistol in even though it was legal and only required registration, so they confiscated it. Not long after this Joe was having dinner with his parents and their friends, one of whom happened to be Lester B Pearson. Joe was talking about his disappointment that the pistol had been taken from him at the Quebec Customs as he had followed procedure and had not contravened the law. At this time he was based out of Trenton, Ontario. One evening not long afterwards on returning to his quarters he found the P38 lying on his bed. It appears as though Mr. Pearson had intervened on his behalf and arranged for the return of the pistol.
Note :
The German was the officers mess manager. He was a WWII FW 190 pilot with 5 kills, 3 B-17's & 2 Spitfires. He helped all the pilots get German drivers licences, etc. he was a good guy. Joe.
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